R E P O R T 2024
Our Story & Mission
Botanical PaperWorks planted roots in 1997, when a mother-daughter duo had a bold idea to turn paper waste into purpose. What started in a classroom, turning discarded paper into handmade sheets for bookbinding and stationery, soon blossomed into something more.
By embedding seeds into the paper, they created products that could be planted to grow into flowers, herbs, or vegetables.
Today, we’re proud to be a global leader in zero waste, plantable paper products that give back to the earth as they bloom.
We help people celebrate events and communicate brand messages with sustainable products that reduce waste.
Over the years, we’ve stayed rooted in our mission and expanded beyond seed paper to offer handmade soaps and eco-friendly soy + coconut wax candles. Proudly made in-house by our team in Canada, every product we make reflects our commitment to sustainability and quality craftsmanship.
30 - 35 team members on average
2,000+ five-star reviews (across Google, main website, and directories)
Approximately
20 tonnes of paper waste recycled into seed paper each year
1,300+ sustainable products for weddings, parties, branding, memorials, and more
Serving 33 countries around the world
Leading with Purpose:
A Letter from Our CEO
Hello and welcome to our first Impact Report. We’re excited to share the story of our work in 2024, a year filled with meaningful progress, milestones, and momentum as we continue to live out our purpose.
We exist to do good through our business practices, products, and people.
This year marked a significant chapter in our journey. After months of rigorous preparation and collaboration with B Lab auditors, we were proud to achieve B Corp certification in May 2024. This recognition affirms that Botanical PaperWorks meets the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
I’m deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished and of the role we’ve played in advancing the conversation around sustainability. Through knowledge sessions, trade show conversations, newsletters, and more, we consistently emphasized the importance of choosing plantable products that give back to the earth rather than take from it.
Sharing our story and expertise is one of the ways we amplify our impact.
In September, I had the opportunity to present the “Sustainability Framework Masterclass” at NatCon, the annual conference of the Promotional Product Professionals of Canada (PPPC). Earlier in the year, I shared insights on sustainable entrepreneurship and purpose-driven leadership with students at the Asper School of Business and the Master in Management program at the University of Winnipeg. These experiences remind me how important it is to inspire the next generation of changemakers.
We’ve fully embraced the B Corp mission of using business as a force for good—and we’re just getting started.
As you read this report, we hope you’ll gain a deeper understanding of our values, our commitments, and the positive impact we’re working to make on people and the planet.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us.
Warmly,
Heidi Reimer-Epp CEO & Co-Founder of Botanical PaperWorks
B Corp Certification
B Corp certification is a respected designation for companies that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
Unlike many businesses that prioritize profits, B Corps make a legal commitment to consider the impact of their decisions on all stakeholders, including workers, communities, and the environment.
The B in B Corp stands for Benefit for all
Earning B Corp certification is not easy.
It involves a rigorous, third-party evaluation that holds companies accountable to a comprehensive set of criteria. In a world where greenwashing is common, meeting B Corp standards is a meaningful way to show your commitment to real impact.
In order to pass the assessment and certify as a B Corp, companies must score at least 80 points on the B Impact Assessment. Today, the average score for companies that have taken the assessment is 50.9, and the mean score is 55.
B Corp Journey
Becoming B Corp certified was a natural step to demonstrate to our customers and community that we prioritize making a positive impact, not only through the products we offer, but also on our team members and community. It was an opportunity to validate our ongoing efforts while pushing us to achieve even higher standards. Its principles have become embedded throughout the business. From our annual strategic plans to casual team discussions, B Corp has given us a clear framework to measure, improve, and make decisions.
Our B Corp Scores - 80.2 Overall
Governance Workers Community Environment Customers
15.2
(10-15 points available + opportunity for Impact Business Model points)
Governance assesses how a company upholds its mission, ethics, transparency, and commitment to social and environmental impact through its leadership and legal structure.
16.2
(40-50 point available)
Workers assesses how a company supports its employees’ financial security, wellbeing, growth, and satisfaction. It also recognizes business models that actively benefit and empower workers.
13.8 (40-50 points available + opportunity for Impact Business Model points)
Community evaluates how a company engages with and impacts the communities it serves, focusing on areas like diversity, equity, economic contribution, and ethical sourcing. It also recognizes business models that address specific social challenges.
32 (20-45 points available)
Environment assesses a company’s environmental practices and impact across areas like climate, water, land, and biodiversity, while recognizing those with sustainable operations, ecofriendly products, and solutions that address environmental challenges.
2.7 (5 points available + opportunity for Impact Business Model points)
Customers evaluates how a company serves and protects its customers through product quality, ethical practices, and feedback systems, while recognizing offerings that address social issues or support underserved communities.
We’re committed to strengthening our practices across all five pillars. We believe that better is always possible, and doing better is simply the right thing to do.
2024 Carbon Emissions
Includes direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources owned or controlled by Botanical PaperWorks (activities like gas utilities and vehicle fuel consumption)
Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling
Other indirect emissions that occur from activities Botanical PaperWorks engages in. (e.g., business travel, product use, or supply chain emissions).
Botanical Paperworks has been tracking and reporting its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions since 2019. In 2024, we adopted new carbon accounting software that emphasizes activity-based data, using real-world inputs (such as energy use or travel distance) rather than relying solely on expense amounts. As a result of this change in methodology, we’ve established 2024 as our new baseline year. Moving forward, our GHG impacts will be measured against this baseline to track progress and guide improvements.
2024 Waste Metrics
7.8
3.67
1.36
metric tonnes to landfill metric tonnes of mixed recycling metric tonnes composted
Reflecting On Our Core Values
Environmental Protection
Customer Focus
People & Ethics
Quality
Community Impact
Environmental Protection
We’re dedicated to minimizing negative environmental impacts associated with our products and operations. This commitment involves adopting sustainable business practices, reducing our carbon footprint, conserving resources, and implementing initiatives for waste reduction.
What we said we’d do What we did
Continue on our mission to reduce the amount of waste produced by the company’s operations. Create more zero-waste, circular products for our customers.
• Eliminated single-use tableware at company events by investing in reusable plates and cutlery.
• Composted or repurposed approximately 80% of seed paper offcuts and rejects.
• Increased our volume of composting by 28%.
• Documented proper waste practices for employee education and onboarding new team members.
• Launched 4 oz Soy + Coconut Wax Candles, Mini Eco Homelife Gift Kit, and various new seed paper products, providing customers with more sustainable, low-waste choices that minimize landfill waste.
• Implemented a water reuse program. This new process reused 10,069.6 litres in 2024.
90% of Botanical PaperWorks products are made using supplies from waste streams.
In 2024, over half (26 of 41) of the individuals who worked at Botanical PaperWorks commuted to work in sustainable ways –biking, busing or walking. We’ve achieved an average water usage of 1.57 liters per 12 x 18 sheet or 0.79 litres per Letter/A4 sheet of paper. (Industry standard is 13 litres per Letter/A4 sheet)
Customer Focus
We understand the importance of putting the customer at the center of all of our efforts. This approach encourages innovation in the company as well as creates a positive work environment for our team.
What
we said we’d do What we did
Educate and support distributors in pitching sustainable promotional products to their clients. Assist all clients in understanding the positive impact they can have by choosing sustainable products.
• Created a webpage “Our Values, Mission & Impact” to fully explain our five impact areas and the work that we’re doing. This information increased transparency and equipped our customers to make informed decisions.
• Conducted 44 product knowledge sessions with distributors to share product insights and sustainability expertise.
• Presented education sessions at events to promote sustainability in the promotional product industry.
• Ran an educational social media series, Seeds of Sustainability, showcasing practical and impactful ways individuals and businesses can contribute to a more sustainable future.
BOTANICAL PAPERWORKS RATINGS: 4 .9 out of 5 stars on Google A+ supplier on SAGE 5-star supplier on ASI ESP
People & Ethics
Botanical PaperWorks is a responsible and socially-conscious business which means transparency, fairness, and integrity are essential to our team.
What we said we’d do
Enhance communication between departments around changes and impact on other departments for rollouts, safety, changes and enhancements, includes quarterly meetings.
What we did
• Launched Values & Actions plan to communicate Botanical PaperWorks’ purpose, mission, and values to entire company.
• Held quarterly cross-departmental meetings with leaders from all areas of the company.
• Maintained a safe and accident-free workplace.
7 out of 8 team leaders are women and 90% of overall positions are filled by women.
Team members average 4.5 years with Botanical PaperWorks.
Botanical Paperworks provides complimentary menstrual products for employees in the workplace. 4.5
Quality
Botanical PaperWorks makes it a priority to deliver superior product quality consistently. We never stop improving our processes and strive to produce the very best products we can.
What we said we’d do
Enhance internal workflow and simplify customer experience.
What we did
• Enhanced inventory tracking and stocking practices.
• Updated artwork processes to reduce time to prepare.
• Reviewed feedback from customers and improved our processes to get the best possible results.
We test every seed lot to ensure our seed paper continues to meet our growth standards. It’s so important to our mission that seed paper consistently grows.
We use Lean Manufacturing principles to streamline production processes, reduce waste, and enhance efficiency.
Each sheet of seed paper is carefully inspected for quality. Those that don’t meet our standards are never wasted, instead, they’re repurposed into useful items like box filler.
Community Impact
Botanical PaperWorks is driven to positively contribute to the community in which we operate and beyond.
What we said we’d do What we did
Improve visibility of Give-Back products to drive increased use. Support our community through partnerships, mentorship programs, discounts, and in-kind donations.
• Donated over $2500 to PFLAG and Oceana through ongoing giveback programs. Oceana funds support efforts related to ocean conservation and PFLAG supports the 2SLGBTQ+ community through education, advocacy, and peer support.
• Joined B Local chapter to connect with local B Corps.
• Repurposed 140 lbs of specialty seed paper offcuts by collaborating with local businesses on custom projects.
• Hosted Red River College Graphic Design students on workplaces.
Every year, Botanical PaperWorks supports several local and national organizations by providing complimentary and discounted products to aid their work in sustainability and social causes.
CEO VOLUNTEER IMPACTS
• Serves on the CME Manitoba Indigenous Advisory Council, where members and Indigenous community leaders co-design a workforce development strategy for the province’s manufacturing sector.
• Mentors women entrepreneurs through the ScotiaBank Women Initiative.
As we plan ahead, we’re choosing projects and initiatives that align with our core values to ensure every step we take stays true to our mission.
Core Value
Environmental Protection
Customer Focus
People & Ethics
Quality
Community Impact
Our Plans for 2025
Make reductions in resource use including water, electricity, and raw materials.
Decrease landfill waste and increase mixed recycling and composting.
Launch giveback program for Earth Day products.
Launch Net Promoter Score survey and implement feedback.
Ensure that all team members are equipped to contribute equally to Botanical Paperworks by updating training procedures, access to educational tools, and standardized performance reviews.
Document the percentage of raw materials sourced from Canada so we can create a target to increase.
Do a product quality review, analyze findings and implement improvements.
Create a Supplier Policy that will promote spending locally at businesses owned by underrepresented business owners.
Launch a new giveback product to support the Orange Shirt Society for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Host community clean-up to pick up litter in our neighborhood.
Thank you for reading our 2024 Impact Report. Join us in helping people and the planet.
Check out these resources:
Circular Economy in Action: Small Steps for Big Impact
8 Meaningful Ways to Empower, Uplift & Support Women {podcasts} Heidi Reimer-Epp Talks Sustainable Business & Shares Company Stories